The United Arab Emirates has announced it will withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil alliances, marking a major shift in global energy dynamics as tensions in the Middle East continue to drive up oil prices.
In a statement released on Tuesday and carried by the state-run WAM news agency, the UAE confirmed it will officially exit the oil blocs on Friday. The decision signals a pivot toward prioritising its own economic and strategic interests.
“This decision reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile,” the statement said. “During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates.”
The UAE, one of the world’s leading oil producers, has previously expressed concerns over production quotas imposed by OPEC, which it believed constrained its output capacity.
The move comes at a critical time for global energy markets. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint that typically carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply — have been severely disrupted due to Iran’s blockade amid the ongoing regional conflict.
The UAE has been directly impacted by the crisis, facing repeated Iranian attacks that have strained its infrastructure and heightened security concerns.
Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the country’s energy policies and future production plans. He noted that the UAE did not consult other nations, including Saudi Arabia, before making the announcement.
“This is a policy decision. It has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” he said.
Relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia — a dominant force within OPEC and the world’s largest oil exporter — have also experienced tension, particularly over oil policy and regional security responses.
The announcement follows criticism from senior UAE officials regarding what they described as inadequate support from fellow Arab nations in response to Iranian aggression. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, voiced concerns over the regional response during a session at the Gulf Influencers Forum on Monday.
Analysts say the UAE’s exit could weaken OPEC’s cohesion and complicate coordinated efforts to stabilise oil markets, especially during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The development is expected to have far-reaching implications for global oil supply, pricing strategies, and diplomatic relations within the Gulf region.
